Photosynthesis for Kids: Light-dependent and Light-independent Reactions

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Ruth Knowunity

01/10/2022

Biology

3.5.1 - Photosynthesis

Subjects

Biology

The control of gene expression (a-level only)

Gene technologies allow the study and alteration of gene function allowing a better understanding of organism function and the design of new industrial and medical processes (a-level only)

Photosynthesis for Kids: Light-dependent and Light-independent Reactions

Photosynthesis is a complex process involving light-dependent and light-independent reactions. This summary covers the key steps, components, and factors affecting photosynthesis, with a focus on the light-dependent reactions and their products. It also touches on the Calvin cycle and limiting factors in photosynthesis.

Light-dependent reactions occur in thylakoid membranes, producing ATP and NADPH
Light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) use these products to fix carbon dioxide
Key components include photosystems, electron transport chain, and ATP synthase
Limiting factors include temperature, CO2 concentration, and light intensity
Agricultural practices can optimize conditions for photosynthesis

01/10/2022

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3.5.1- Photosynthesis.
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Light-Independent Reactions and the Calvin Cycle

The light-independent reactions, also known as the Calvin cycle, occur in the stroma of chloroplasts. These reactions use the products of the light-dependent reactions (ATP and NADPH) to fix carbon dioxide into organic compounds.

Definition: The Calvin cycle is a series of biochemical reactions that use ATP and NADPH to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.

The Calvin cycle consists of several steps:

Carbon fixation: CO₂ combines with ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) to form an unstable 6-carbon compound, catalyzed by the enzyme rubisco.
Reduction: The unstable compound is split into two 3-carbon molecules called glycerate-3-phosphate (GP).
Regeneration: GP is reduced to triose phosphate (TP) using ATP and NADPH.

Highlight: The role of ATP and NADPH in photosynthesis is crucial in this stage, providing the energy and reducing power needed to convert CO₂ into sugar.

Synthesis of glucose: Some TP molecules are used to synthesize glucose, while others are recycled to regenerate RuBP.

Example: Out of every six carbon atoms that enter the cycle, one glucose molecule (C₆H₁₂O₆) is produced, while the rest are used to regenerate RuBP.

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Limiting Factors and Agricultural Practices in Photosynthesis

Understanding the factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis is crucial for optimizing plant growth and agricultural productivity. The main limiting factors include:

Temperature: Affects enzyme activity and overall metabolic rates.
CO₂ concentration: Influences the rate of carbon fixation in the Calvin cycle.
Light intensity: Determines the rate of light-dependent reactions.

Highlight: These are three of the 7 factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis, with others including water availability, mineral nutrients, leaf color, and leaf age.

Agricultural practices have been developed to overcome these limiting factors:

Using LED lights: Provides optimal light intensity and spectrum for photosynthesis.
Greenhouse cultivation: Allows control over temperature and CO₂ levels.
CO₂ enrichment: Burning fuel to increase CO₂ concentration in greenhouses.

Example: In a practical investigating factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis, students might measure oxygen production under different light intensities or CO₂ concentrations.

Understanding these factors and practices is essential for maximizing crop yields and addressing global food security challenges.

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Subjects

Biology

The control of gene expression (a-level only)

Gene technologies allow the study and alteration of gene function allowing a better understanding of organism function and the design of new industrial and medical processes (a-level only)

Biology

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162

•

1 Oct 2022

•

3 pages

Photosynthesis for Kids: Light-dependent and Light-independent Reactions

Ruth Knowunity

@knowunity.uk

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Light-Independent Reactions and the Calvin Cycle

Definition: The Calvin cycle is a series of biochemical reactions that use ATP and NADPH to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.

The Calvin cycle consists of several steps:

Carbon fixation: CO₂ combines with ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) to form an unstable 6-carbon compound, catalyzed by the enzyme rubisco.
Reduction: The unstable compound is split into two 3-carbon molecules called glycerate-3-phosphate (GP).
Regeneration: GP is reduced to triose phosphate (TP) using ATP and NADPH.

Highlight: The role of ATP and NADPH in photosynthesis is crucial in this stage, providing the energy and reducing power needed to convert CO₂ into sugar.

Synthesis of glucose: Some TP molecules are used to synthesize glucose, while others are recycled to regenerate RuBP.

Example: Out of every six carbon atoms that enter the cycle, one glucose molecule (C₆H₁₂O₆) is produced, while the rest are used to regenerate RuBP.

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Limiting Factors and Agricultural Practices in Photosynthesis

Understanding the factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis is crucial for optimizing plant growth and agricultural productivity. The main limiting factors include:

Temperature: Affects enzyme activity and overall metabolic rates.
CO₂ concentration: Influences the rate of carbon fixation in the Calvin cycle.
Light intensity: Determines the rate of light-dependent reactions.

Highlight: These are three of the 7 factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis, with others including water availability, mineral nutrients, leaf color, and leaf age.

Agricultural practices have been developed to overcome these limiting factors:

Using LED lights: Provides optimal light intensity and spectrum for photosynthesis.
Greenhouse cultivation: Allows control over temperature and CO₂ levels.
CO₂ enrichment: Burning fuel to increase CO₂ concentration in greenhouses.

Example: In a practical investigating factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis, students might measure oxygen production under different light intensities or CO₂ concentrations.

Understanding these factors and practices is essential for maximizing crop yields and addressing global food security challenges.

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

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Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Light-Dependent Reactions in Photosynthesis

The light-dependent reaction in photosynthesis is a crucial process that occurs in the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts. This reaction harnesses light energy to produce ATP and NADPH, which are essential for the subsequent light-independent reactions.

Definition: Light-dependent reactions are the initial stage of photosynthesis where light energy is converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH.

The process involves several key steps:

Photoionization of chlorophyll: Light energy excites electrons in photosystem II (PS2), raising them to a higher energy level.
Photolysis of water: The excited electrons from PS2 are replaced by splitting water molecules, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.

Equation: H₂O → O₂ + H⁺ + e⁻

Electron Transport Chain (ETC): Excited electrons move down the ETC, losing energy and pumping H⁺ ions into the thylakoid space.
Chemiosmosis: The proton gradient created by the ETC drives ATP synthesis through ATP synthase.

Vocabulary: Chemiosmosis is the movement of ions across a selectively permeable membrane, down their electrochemical gradient.

NADPH Production: Electrons that have passed through the ETC are energized again in photosystem I (PS1) and used to reduce NADP⁺ to NADPH.

Highlight: The light-dependent reaction steps produce two key products: ATP and NADPH, which are crucial for the Calvin cycle in the light-independent reactions.

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